American Education Week: Celebrating #TeamPGCPS!

This week we are celebrating our public school community, from bus drivers and substitute teachers to cafeteria and administrative staff!

Meet Tulip Grove Elementary School substitute teacher Mary Louise Lopez!

Q: What do you find most rewarding about being a substitute teacher, and how do you feel you make a positive impact on students?

A: I love being a substitute, and I especially enjoy being able to work with the students in a variety of grade levels.  Each new day, each new class,each new school poses unique challenges which keeps me engaged and fulfilled! 

Q: How do you adapt your teaching approach to meet the different needs and learning styles of students, especially when you're stepping into a classroom with little prior preparation?

A: The best part of stepping into an unfamiliar classroom is that there are NO preconceived notions from me about the students, and they have none about me.  We are all getting to know each other and that lends to the usually less cooperative student(s) to have a "clean slate" for the time that I am with them.  It is like they get a new chance to be a model student and often, these students rise to the challenge.  I also enjoy getting to know the students and do my best to ensure that each day I am with them brings not only quality instruction, but also a sense of mutual respect and fun!

Q: What challenges do you face as a substitute teacher, and how do you overcome them to ensure students have a productive and engaging learning experience?

A: Not all students are comfortable at school, much less, at school with an unfamiliar teacher.  I try to identify these students right away using their body language and social cues, and I spend extra energy making sure they have the most positive experience possible in school the day I am with them.  I let them know they are seen, respected, and loved for the unique individuals that they are.  Having the extra positive attention and an open-mindedness on the teacher's part often leads to unexpected positive results from generally low achievers. 

Q: Can you share an experience where you felt you made a lasting difference in a student's life, even if you were only their teacher for a short time?

A: All students (people) want to be successful.  One day, after a particularly engaging read-aloud, a young lady said to me:  I never thought of [this] in that way before.  The character's problem is a lot like mine, and I can try to do what they did to solve my problem!  I'll probably be successful, just like the character!  Thanks for reading that book today... I needed it!"

These unsolicited comments are the ones that mean the most to me, because it verifies that I have made a positive difference for that child at that time!   My goal as a substitute teacher:  to thoroughly engage students in knowledge attainment and problem solving, while helping to instill a sense of ownership, mutual respect, and excellence.  I desire to positively interact and impact students on a daily basis no matter the situation.